Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three young children, made a surprising request during a recent hearing.
She asked the court to allow her to use an ambulance to get to and from her upcoming murder trial.
Clancy, 35, has been wheelchair-bound since jumping from a second-story window after the tragic incident in January 2023, which left her paralyzed.
Her defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, argued that standard transportation arrangements wouldn’t be safe for Clancy given her current condition.
The Tragic Background
The case shocked the Duxbury community when Clancy allegedly strangled her children—Cora, five, Dawson, three, and Callan, eight months old—in the basement of her home.
Her husband discovered the aftermath and found Clancy with self-inflicted cuts to her neck and wrists in an apparent suicide attempt.
Since her arrest, Clancy has been receiving treatment at Tewksbury State Hospital, a mental health facility.
Defense Pushes for Specialized Transport
During Wednesday’s hearing, Reddington emphasized that Clancy’s needs go beyond basic wheelchair access.
She would require assistance with personal care and a nurse to accompany her, not just a sheriff’s officer in a standard transport van.
“How can anyone suggest she can manage all aspects of a day trip to the courthouse when her condition clearly prevents even basic self-care?” Reddington asked in court.
He noted that Clancy cannot even use a standard handicap bathroom stall without help.
Sheriff’s Office Raises Concerns
The sheriff’s office expressed concerns about the logistics and cost of providing an ambulance.
Jessica Kenny, the General Counsel, explained that since neither the sheriff’s department nor Tewksbury Hospital has an ambulance, they would need to contract a private company, which could significantly increase expenses.
“Ambulance scheduling is tricky due to the nature of what they do,” Kenny noted.
Later, Reddington clarified that a fully equipped ambulance might not be necessary; a van capable of transporting her wheelchair safely would suffice.
Court Holds Off on a Decision
Superior Court Judge William F. Sullivan chose not to make an immediate ruling on Clancy’s request, leaving the decision pending further information. The court will revisit the matter on January 27.
Clancy’s trial is set to begin on July 20.
Legal Battle Over Mental Health
Reddington has indicated that he intends to pursue an insanity defense, claiming Clancy suffered from postpartum depression at the time of the alleged murders.
“This was not a planned situation,” he said. “It was clearly the product of mental illness.”
The prosecution disputes this, stating that Clancy had previously been evaluated by mental health professionals and was informed she did not have postpartum depression.
They also point to evidence suggesting she researched methods to kill on her cellphone and claim her suicide attempt may have been staged.
Charges Against Clancy
Clancy currently faces multiple charges, including two counts of murder, three counts of strangulation, and three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. She has pleaded not guilty.
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